The HSE has moved to allay concerns about the closure of a ward at St Patrick’s Hospital in Cashel later this month.
The decision to move patients from St Michael’s ward to other parts of the hospital has been made due to a shortage of nursing staff and HIQA’s concerns that it is not suitable for care of the elderly.
The Health Service Executive says the welfare of patients residing at St Patrick’s in Cashel is a priority for staff and management.
They will be working to ensure that transitioning of residents to other wards will occur smoothly and with as little disruption as possible.
The HSE says the temporary amalgamation will allow St. Patrick’s to ensure safer staffing levels and place residents in a safer structural environment.
In a statement to Tipp FM they say while every effort is being made to fill nursing vacancies to serve the St. Patrick’s Hospital setting, a serious challenge has arisen of late as regards recruiting nurses to the hospital.
A number of national recruitment campaigns for nurses have been unsuccessful in filling vacancies at St. Patrick’s.
The HSE has moved to assure the public that this safety related measure in St. Patrick’s is an interim one and it remains a priority for the hospital to resume operate at full capacity as soon as possible.
